Returns a big weapon for UO, Cardinal

Kickoff plays will have a significant impact on the outcome when No. 7 Oregon meets Stanford on Saturday.

If that becomes obvious during the game, it will probably mean Oregon’s Kenjon Barner or Stanford’s Chris Owusu — maybe even both — ripped off a big-time return. If it’s not readily apparent, the Ducks or Cardinal will have muzzled one of the game’s most dangerous weapons.

Not only are they 1-2 in the Pac-10 Conference, Stanford is first among team leaders and Oregon is second. But there’s no guarantee either returner will find much room to run inside Stanford Stadium — the Cardinal lead the conference in kickoff coverage, as well, and the Ducks are second.

“It’s going to be a neat matchup,” UO coach Chip Kelly said.

Barner has flourished after taking over the job at Oregon under unfortunate circumstances. Senior cornerback Walter Thurmond III was 17th nationally in kickoff returns before tearing three knee ligaments on the opening play of Oregon’s win over California.

Barner, a redshirt freshman running back, returned Cal’s only other kickoff of the day 26 yards, a sign of things to come. The converted cornerback, who was a prolific all-purpose back in high school, has held on to the job since, and made two of the defining plays of the season.

At UCLA on Oct. 10, Barner took advantage of excellent protection and returned the opening kick of the second half 100 yards for Oregon’s first touchdown in a come-from-behind, 24-10 win. And last week against USC, after the Trojans mounted an impressive field-goal drive to open the game, Barner returned a kick 77 yards.

“Kenjon, he’s like a lot of guys — once they experience success, that success kind of breeds success,” UO special teams coordinator Tom Osborne said. “When he took the long one against UCLA, that’s just kind of breeded success.” Click here for the complete story.